Responding to storm No. 15, hydropower plants lower lake water levels to welcome floods

At 8:00 p.m. on November 25, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that the tropical depression in the sea west of the central Philippines had strengthened into a storm.

Forecast of location and direction of storm No. 15 - Photo: VNDMS

The strongest wind near the storm center is level 8 (62 - 74 km/h), gusting to level 10. The storm moves west-northwest at a speed of 20 - 25 km/h.

Today, typhoon Koto (named in Japan, meaning "harp") is forecast to move west-northwest at 20-25km/h into the East Sea, becoming storm number 15 and gradually moving towards the central waters of the East Sea. The storm is then likely to strengthen to level 10-11, gusting to level 13 and moving west.

Warning: Between November 27 and 28, the central East Sea area (including the sea area north of Truong Sa special zone) is likely to be affected by strong winds of level 10-11, gusts of level 14, waves of 7-9m high, and rough seas. Ships operating in the above-mentioned dangerous areas are likely to be affected by storms, whirlwinds, strong winds, and large waves.

Faced with this situation, how have the South Central provinces prepared?

On November 25, Dak Lak Provincial Party Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet said that storm response work is being activated, in parallel with overcoming the heavy damage after the recent floods. Mr. Triet informed that today (November 26), Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha will chair a meeting with localities to direct response solutions.

"The storm is being closely monitored. The Provincial People's Committee has issued a telegram requesting localities to proactively take preventive measures," he said.

In addition, the Dak Lak Provincial Civil Defense Command has issued orders to operate reservoirs on rivers. Dak Lak requested the Song Ba Ha, Song Hinh and Krong HNang hydropower plants to lower the reservoir water level to flood-receiving levels before 10am on November 28.

Specifically, Song Ba Ha hydropower plant dropped 102m, Song Hinh down 204.5m, and Krong HNang down 251.5m. Flood discharge operations must comply with regulations to avoid sudden artificial floods that endanger downstream areas.

In Khanh Hoa, Mr. Nguyen Duy Quang - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment - said that in case the storm directly affects Khanh Hoa province, the province will have a plan to evacuate people and support people to reinforce their houses.

Regarding the plan to ensure dam safety, Mr. Quang requested that reservoir management units regularly monitor and update weather and flood developments, operate and regulate flood discharge appropriately, ensure safety of works and prevent flooding in downstream areas.

Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Le Huyen said that households whose houses completely collapsed or were severely damaged in the recent historic floods will be evacuated to a safe place when storm No. 15 affects Khanh Hoa.

In addition, to ensure dam safety and to welcome the next rains, Song Cho 1 and Suoi Dau reservoirs have begun regulating water levels since November 24.

People in flood areas are also vigilant.

On November 25, people in the flood-prone areas of Hoa Thinh and Hoa My (Dak Lak) continued to overcome the damage caused by the historic flood. After the serious natural disaster, people paid more attention to storm No. 15 and were very vigilant.

Ms. Pham Thi Lat (62 years old, Phu Huu village, Hoa Thinh commune) said: "Now I am scared when I hear about storms and floods. After the recent flood, I have to be more proactive. From today, I am worried about securing my house. When the government announces the time of the storm, I go to my neighbor's house, which has a safe floor, and when the storm is over, I will return."

At Dong Khoi Secondary School, Mr. Tran Van Sau, the school's principal, said that the remaining computers that were not damaged by the flood will be moved from the second floor to the ground floor to avoid the storm from damaging the roof. "With the upcoming storm, the school will proactively clean up earlier, and must complete it one day before the forecasted storm landing time to be sure," Mr. Sau said.

The leaders of Hoa Thinh commune said that they have informed the people about the upcoming storm. In case of evacuation to safe places to avoid the storm, they will be notified directly. In addition, the forces at the grassroots level are also ready to support people in strengthening their houses, especially those that have just had cracks, broken walls, or foundations removed... due to the recent flood.

Similarly, Ms. Le Thi Hoai Vinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa My Commune, said that the locality has calculated plans to proactively respond to the storm. In the coming days, trees at risk of falling will be cut down. Next, houses will be inspected and households whose houses were damaged after the flood and are no longer safe will be re-evacuated.

"For unsafe houses, if there are safe houses next to them, they will be moved in to stay during the storm. In case there are many people with unstable houses, the commune will take advantage of public housing facilities and schools with upper floors to take shelter from the storm," said Ms. Vinh.

At the same time, to prevent storms from causing rain and leading to flooding again, people in low-lying areas with a high risk of re-flooding will also be evacuated early by the authorities of the flood-prone areas.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ung-pho-bao-so-15-cac-thuy-dien-ha-muc-nuoc-ho-don-lu-20251126081853365.htm